Held in Rome on September 25–26, ITHIC 2025 – Italian Hospitality Investment Conference brought together discussions on the future of tourism investments, sustainable growth models, and the transformation of the global industry. From hotel chains and investment funds to tech startups and public institutions, hundreds of industry leaders gathered to debate the “new normals” of tourism.
A Quest for Balance in Global Tourism
The conference’s main theme was “Hospitality in Transition.” Experts emphasized that although global tourism revenues are expected to grow by 8% in 2025, profit margins have narrowed by around 3–4%. This indicates that investments in the sector now need to focus not only on scale, but also on efficiency and sustainability.
According to CBRE and STR data, the average occupancy rate in Europe’s hotel sector in 2025 stands at 71%, with RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) increasing by 2.1%. However, in destinations such as Italy, Spain, and Greece, operating costs have risen by up to 15% due to higher energy and labor expenses.
Sustainable Investment Models and Digital Transformation
The most prominent trend at the conference was sustainable investment policy. Participants highlighted that hotels aligned with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria have a 30% higher chance of securing financing.
Digitalization was also a key focus, particularly in revenue management and operational efficiency. It was noted that AI-powered pricing systems have boosted profit margins by up to 12% in several case studies.
Investors Seek New Growth Areas
Panel discussions revealed that traditional hotel markets are reaching saturation, prompting investors to explore secondary destinations and alternative accommodation models such as serviced apartments and extended-stay hotels.
Reports indicate that total investment volume in the Mediterranean region for the 2026–2028 period is approaching $12 billion. Of this, 40% is directed toward luxury hotel projects in Italy and Spain, while 25% is allocated to digital infrastructure investments.
A Special Focus on Türkiye
KIn the session titled “Investment Opportunities Beyond the Usual Markets,” Türkiye, Egypt, and Croatia were identified as “high-potential yet unsaturated markets.”
A representative from CBRE EMEA Hospitality Group noted that investment return rates (ROI) in Istanbul, Antalya, and Bodrum have averaged 14–16% over the past three years — significantly higher than the European average of around 9%.
Additional highlights included:
- Antalya and the Aegean Region hosted over 15 million international visitors in the summer of 2024, reclaiming leadership in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Growing investments in wellness and gastronomy tourism may position Türkiye among “experience-driven premium destinations” by 2025–2026.
- The shift of local investors from luxury resorts to mid-scale urban hotels is attracting European attention.
- Gulf funds (especially from Qatar and the UAE) are planning to invest over $400 million in Türkiye during 2025.
A panelist from Horwath HTL Europe remarked:
“Despite geopolitical risks, Türkiye remains one of Europe’s three most dynamic markets in terms of diversity, service quality, and profitability.”
Conference Takeaways: New Priorities
The key takeaways from ITHIC 2025 were summarized in three main points:
- Global tourism continues to grow, but profitability remains under pressure.
- Sustainable and digital transformation investments are no longer optional — they’re essential.
- Emerging destinations and extended-stay concepts will shape the future of the industry.
